Maybe Don't Make Those China Plans Yet

Remember how some of the bigger names in the NBA had been talking about playing in China if the NBA Lockout ends up lasting as long as we all know it’s going to last? Well those plans may be screwed now. In what should shock absolutely no one with a knowledge of the Chinese government, the Chinese Basketball Association plans to put limits on how many NBA players can sign contracts with the league, and officials also plan to make sure our guys understand that if they sign, they’re fulfilling their entire contracts.

I’m almost too excited to see how this plays out.

Sina Sports, quoting an anonymous figure connected to the CBA, reported that the Chinese Basketball Association is planning to institute two special new rules for next season in response to the ever-growing list of NBA players who have declared interest towards playing in China: First, teams will not be allowed to include an out-clause into any contract with an active NBA player and second, that each team will be allowed to sign only one active NBA player. (NiuBBall.com via Pro Basketball Talk)

That’s actually damn fine league management right there. Must be nice to have people who know what they’re doing running the show. Additionally, and less surprisingly, the Chinese government is obviously concerned with the NBA culture influencing Chinese basketball fans. They clearly don’t have enough sacks to throw all those new babies away.